Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/250

202 about eighteen inches long into the shape of a trumpet and imitate the call of his kind. Mr. Moose, hearing the call, rushes in the direction of the sound. The poor fellow is often shot, thus lured into close proximity with his enemies.

The moose loves the water and is a fine swimmer. He enjoys wading, and spends much of the summer time in the water, swimming and browsing water plants. So baby moose spends his first summer, enjoying nature, finding out what is good to eat and what is to be left alone, growing like the proverbial weed, and getting acquainted with life.

His sense of smell develops, and affords him protection from savage beasts; he learns to be on the alert for trouble and to flee before forest fires and avalanches. The babies make their appearance in April or May. One and sometimes two babies are the usual number. They are a soft, sandy brown in colour and unspotted. Their pretty little bodies are perched on long, awkward, stilt-like legs. The face has a quizzical expression and the ears are soft and velvety. The neck is so short and legs so long, that the little fellow